John Cusack isn’t the greatest actor. In fact, I often find the 1980s pop culture icon quite difficult to watch in anything past his heyday. I could say the same about Matthew McConaughey except he does have some appeal when he plays unapologetically slimy roles. So, their presence in this film should have been the first two indications that the casting department might have fallen asleep on the job. But, then, you have to consider this stars Nicole Kidman (albeit in seemingly full Ann-Margaret-like form) in the follow-up to Lee Daniels’ Precious. So, you have two different extremes on the surface and, as the Cannes reviews have suggested, you have one huge mess on your hands. Depending on your taste, that could either be a good or bad thing. I try not to be bothered by the spoiler that everyone and their mother made no bones about revealing. I mean really? You couldn’t keep it to yourselves, folks. Not to say that the film or at least even part of it is ruined for virgin eyes, it just strikes me as bad form. What say you? Perhaps I’ll change my tune once I see it. Until then, I'll pretend that it doesn't matter or, if possible, that I never heard it. After the jump, a sampling of reviews ...
 |
| Kidman gracing us with her little Kelly ala Sharon Stone |
Hollywood Reporter >> Loved how trashy it was
Guardian >> “Smart, entertaining with an excellent performance from Kidman”
Cynicritics >>”beautifully shot mess that (kind of) works”
Film School Rejects >> Pretty much enjoyed the story
Time >> Enjoyed it, especially Kidman
Digital Spy >> Daniels doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing, but liked the trash
Scene Creek >> Unusually introspective reaction
The "Cons" and/or Mixed:
Hit Fix >> You’re either gonna love or hate it
Huffington Post >> Daniels’ inconsistent tone is distracting, but the trash will find an audience
Variety >> “Not unenjoyable” that will likely be a rental for most
Telegraph >> Excused the actors, especially Kidman, but called the film “just a dismally bad job”
EW >> Doesn’t lambast the film, but cautions Daniels to pull himself back and perhaps exercise greater assiduity in choosing scripts.
IndieWire >> “Oddly self-aware mess”
The Playlist >> Boldly suggests that Hollywood Reporter and its ilk cannot be trusted. Oh really?
 |
| Attack of the Third Lip! |
The screenplay is based on the novel by Peter Dexter. It also features Zac Efron, who you definitely have to give props to for trying different things. Joe Klotz has edited Precious and Rabbit Hole. Roberto Schaefer lensed the crazy visuals. He’s been a trusted cinematographer for Marc Forster and the Christopher Guest mockumentaries. The production design team includes members who have worked on the The Big Easyand Treme. Caroline Eselin did the costumes. There was a makeup crew, but Kidman said she did her own. She may have been referring to that one time there was no artist on set.
Millennium set the release date for The Paperboy (October 5th), which was filmed in New Orleans and LA last summer. It marks one of Kidman's first independent productions to come out after she fired her manager and publicist and signed on with Geyer Kosinski, who has turned Angelina Jolie into an truly bankable international star. Is it too late for Kidman? Or is that even a question they're interested in?
0 comments:
Post a Comment